The Spurgeon College Knights (22-4) emerged victorious over Kansas Christian College (9-14) in an intense and thrilling matchup at the Mathena Center in Gladstone, Missouri, on Friday night. With a final score of 104-96, the Knights secured another crucial win in what has been an electrifying season.
First Half: Knights' Hot Start
Spurgeon College came out firing on all cylinders in the opening period, finishing the half with a slim 55-52 lead. Drew Middleton led the way with an impressive 22 points in the first half, hitting 8 of his 12 shots and 3 of 5 from beyond the arc. Rueben Doria's 11 points helped keep Kansas Christian in striking distance, but the Knights' efficient shooting – 43.5% from the field and 36.4% from three-point range – allowed them to maintain the slight edge heading into halftime.
Kansas Christian's Strong Second Half Push
Kansas Christian showed their resilience after the break. Despite a challenging first half, the Falcons rallied and kept the game tight, only trailing by a narrow 49-44 margin in the second half. However, the Knights' depth and scoring continued to shine. Middleton added 16 more points to finish with 38 on the night, and his clutch performances down the stretch, alongside Joseph Allen's 15 points and 5 rebounds, helped Spurgeon hold off Kansas Christian's spirited comeback attempt.
Key Players and Statistical Leaders
The Turning Point
Though Kansas Christian briefly took the lead early in the second half, Spurgeon College's balance on both sides of the ball proved crucial. With fast-break points and bench contributions (Spurgeon's bench contributed 36 points), the Knights stayed ahead. The game took a dramatic turn when Coach Lively of Kansas Christian was ejected just 31 seconds into the second half, shifting the momentum back to Spurgeon College.
Team Stats and Highlights
- Field Goal Percentage: Kansas Christian (39.2%), Spurgeon College (43.0%)
- Three-Point Percentage: Kansas Christian (38.5%), Spurgeon College (36.8%)
- Free Throws: Kansas Christian (72.7%), Spurgeon College (74.4%)
- Points in the Paint: Kansas Christian 38, Spurgeon College 52
- Points off Turnovers: Kansas Christian 15, Spurgeon College 23
Celebrating the Win
This thrilling victory not only extends the Knights' impressive record but also serves as a testament to their resilience and teamwork. With their offense clicking and players stepping up when needed most, Spurgeon College will look to carry this momentum into their next games and continue their strong push through the postseason.
